Metal-punching machine.



No. 800,851. PATENTED OCT. 3, 1905 U. A. JOHNSON.

METAL PUNGHING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22. 1904.

13 SHEETS-SHEET l.

mnnzw. a (mum on FNOTO-LIYNOGRAPHEHS, WASHlNGTUN. u. c.

PATENTED OUT. 3, 1905.

C. A. JOHNSON.

METAL PUNGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22. 1904.

13 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

jlw k/wazu,

No. 800,851. I PATENTED OCT. 3, 1905! o. A. JOHNSON.

METAL PUNGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22. 1904.

13 8HEBT8-SHEET 3.

I 5 z a N 2% j a M \n. r l I m @N M II a a M i. NEH Nw QH w M m m n m "I M w ylq. M Mv E w 5 No. 800,851. PATENTED OCT. 3, 1905. G. A. JOHNSON. METAL PUNGHING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 22. 1904.

1a SIIEETS-SHBBT 5.

No. 800,851. PATENTED OCT. 3, 1905. O. .A. JOHNSON.

METAL PUNGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22. 1904.

13 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

No 800,851. PATENTED OCT. 3, 1905. 0. A. JOHNSON.

METAL PUNOHING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION IILED JUNE 22. H04.

13 sums-sun's.

No. 800,851. PATENTED OUT. 3, 1905. G. A. JOHNSON. METAL PUNGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22. 1904.

13 SHEETS-SHEET 9 fiwardvr No. 800,851. PATENTED 001. 3', 1905. 0. A. JOHNSON.

METAL PUNGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22. 1904.

13 SHEETS-SHEET l0.

No. 800,851. PATENTED OGT S, 1905.

0. A. JOHNSON. METAL PUNGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22 1904 13 SHEETS-SHEET 11 PATENTED OCT. 3, 1905. G. A. JOHNSON.

METAL PUNGHING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 22. 1904.

13 SHEETS-SHEET 18.

No. 800,851. PATENTED OCT. 3, 1905.

0. A. JOHNSON. METAL PUNOHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION TILED JUNE 22. 1904.

13 SHBETS-SHEET 1a.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

METAL-PUNCHING MACHINE.

Iil'u. 800.851.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 3, 1905.

Application filed June 22, 1904:. Serial No. 213,592.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES A. JoHNsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Everett, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Metal-Punching Machines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to metal-punching machines, and has for its object to provide a novel machine for punching a plurality of pieces of metal at one operation.

The device comprises a plurality of punches adapted to act on a plurality of pieces of metal simultaneously, punch-controlling mechanism for controlling the time of operation of the individual punches,and stock-feeding mechanism arranged to feed the stock forward intermittently as the holes are punched.

The punch-controlling mechanism and the stock-feeding mechanism are entirely automatic in their operations so that when the machine is once set it will operate on a plurality of pieces and punch holes in them according to any desired pattern without the necessity of any hand manipulation.

The particular features wherein my invention resides will be more fully hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, which show one embodiment of my invention. Figure 1 is a front view of the device, the stock-carrier and the feed-controlling mechanism being shown in vertical section for elearness of illustration. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on substantially the line a, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the gearing for operating the feed mechanism. Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved machine. Fig. 5 is a detail hereinafter referred to. Fig. 6 is a section on substantially the line m m, Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a detail of the feed-controlling mechanism on an enlarged scale. Fig. 8 is a view of the parts shown in Fig. 7 looking toward the right. Fig. 9 is a section through one side of the machine on substantially the line Z Z, Fig. 4. Fig. 9 shows the gags for the punches. Fig. 10 is a detail hereinafter described. Fig. 11 is a side elevation of a portion of Fig. 9. Fig. 12 is a section on substantially the line y Fig. 9. Fig. 13 is a detail of the feed-controlling mechanism. Fig. 14 is a section on line 0 (r, Fig. 7. Fig. 15 is a detail of the workcarrier. Fig. 16 is a side elevation of what is view of the large gear-wheel, showing the means for actuating the clutch-actuator. Fig. 27 is a bottom plan view of a portion of Fig. 26. Fig. 28 is a view of the pattern-cams for the punch-controlling mechanism. Figs. 29 and 30 show one form of girder, (Fig. 29 being a section on line 1 g, Fig. 30,) the separate parts of which are adapted to be simultaneously punched on my machine. Fig. 31 is a detail hereinafter referred to. Figs. .32

and 33 are details hereinafter referred to. Figs. 34: and 35 are details hereinafter referred to.

As stated above, the device comprises a p un chin g mechanism, stock supporting means, stock-feeding means, pattern c0ntrolled punch-controlling mechanism which determines the particular punches that are rendered operative at any one stroke, and pattern mechanism for the stock-feeding means which automatically controls the amount which the stock is fed forward at each operation.

Punching mechanisna The punches are designated by 3, and each punch is supported in a suitable punch-holder 4, which in turn is secured to and carried by a reciprocating member 5. For convenience I will hereinafter refer to said reciprocating member as the plunger. This plunger is of a length to support the desired number of punches and reciprocates vertically in a suitable frame 6 of any desired and suitable construction, said frame preferably having guides 7, in which the ends of the plunger travel and by which it is guided. The plunger may be reciprocated in any suitable way, and, as herein shown, it has pivoted thereto a plurality of eccentric-straps 8,which embrace eccentrics 9 on the main shaft 10. This main shaft extends across the frame and is journaled in suitable bearings therein and is rotated in any suitable way. In the present embodiment of my invention said shaft has on one end a large gear-wheel 11, which meshes Wit-h and is driven by a smaller wheel 12 on a power-shaft 13, said shaft having a drivingpulley 14 thereon, by means of which it is driven.

The punch-holders 4c are preferably detachably and adjustably secured to the plunger, so that they can be removed therefrom or given any desired position along the length of the plunger. One way of accomplishing this is to form in the bottom of the plunger dovetailed grooves which receive the heads of bolts 15, carried by the punch-holders. By loosening the nuts on said bolts the punch-holders can be shifted to any desired position and locked there by simply tightening the nuts.

On the under side of the plunger is a guiding-rib 41, which extends parallel to the axis of the shaft and which fits a recess in each punch-holder. This guiding-rib preserves the correct alinement of the punch-holders in any adjusted position thereof.

The plunger is guided in its vertical move ment by the guides 7 at its ends and also by guideblocl;s 16 intermediate its ends. For this purpose the plunger is formed with the vertically-extending side pieces or wings 17, between which the guide-blocks16are located, said wings moving up and down on the guideblOClKS as the plunger is reciprocated. One or both of these guide-blocks may be removable, if desired, to facilitate the assembling of the parts.

I propose to make the frame 6 of a size to accommodate any desired length of plunger, according to the character of the work which the machine is to perform. In the drawings I have shown a plunger of a length to support twenty or more punches, there being twentyeight punches shown in the drawings. The size of the frame or length of the plunger, however, constitutes no part of my invention, and these may be varied to suit the exigencies of the case.

Each punci1-lmlder4has avertical opening 19, in which the punch 3 is received, (see Fig. 9",) and is also pnovided with a movable backing piece or gag 18, which is adapted to be moved in over the end of the punch 3 or withdrawn therefrom, depending on whether said punch is to be active or not.

From the above it will be seen that when the gag is in operative position over the end of the punch the punch will be solidly backed and as the plunger descends will be forced through the material operated upon, while when the gag-strip is withdrawn or in inoperative position the punch will merely recede into the punch-holder upon the descent of the plunger and will not operate on the material.

The backing strips or gags for the respective punches are controlled by suitable pattern mechanism which will be presently described and which operates to select the particular punches upon each descent of the plun ger which are to be rendered operative.

The punches are preferably provided with suitable heads 20, which engage the sleeve 20, and thus prevent said punches from falling out of the punch-holders.

Vort xHp mrf/ny 'u/ww/u/u/mn. "The stock, which may be in the form of angle-iron, channel-iron. sheets, or have any other shape, is supported and carried by a suitable stockcarrier comprising two longitudinally extending beams or members 21, supported on suitable rolls 21", carried by suitable standards. 'lhese beams may, if desired, be tied together at their ends, as at 22. and are adapted to move beneath the punching mechanism and advance the stock as the punching proceeds. The stock may be held in position on the stock- 'arrier in any suitable way. As herein shown, I have provided at each end of the stock-carrier carriages 23, provided with wheels 2st, which are adapteiil to rest on the beams 21 and travel thereon. Figs. 15, 16, and 17 show details of these carriages, from which figures it will be seen that one of the wheels 2+1: is provided with a crank 25, by m ans of which the carriage can be adjustei'l into the desired position. The carriage is fixedly held in its adjusted position by means of flanges 26, rigid with the carriage and overlying the flange and which are adapted to be bolted to the beam 21. The flange of said beam is provided with a plurality of apertures 26, thus permitting the carriage to be locked in any adjusted position. Mounted on the carriage are a series of holding-bars 27, each having jaws 28 at one end to grasp the end of the stock 30 to be punched, one of the jaws of each bar preferably being provided with clamping means, such as a clamping-nut or set-screw 29. These holding-bars are preferably each adjustably mounted on the carriage and for this purpose have the screw-th read ed stems 31, which extend through nuts 31, rotatably mounted in one of the cross-bars of the carriage and engaging one side thereof and also through lock-nuts 32. I preferably have one of these carriages at each end of the stock. so that each end of each piece of stock will be grasped by one of the bars 27. The apertures 26 in the flange of the side beams 21 permit me to adjust the carriages approximately the correct distance apart to accommodate any length of stock, and the adjustability of the holding-bars on the carriages furnishes means for giving the exact adjustment desired.

Directly beneath the punches I have placed a series of anvils, which support the portion of the stock on which the punch is operating. These anvils are designated 33 and are each preferably provided with a die member 34, on which the stock rests and which is provided with an aperture in line with the punch and through which the material punched out is forced. The dies are preferably adjustably mounted in the anvils, and for this purpose each anvil is provided with a transverse slot or groove 34, which extends parallel with the plunger and clear through the anvil from top to bottom. The upper end of said slot is widened to form'shoulders 34, on which the die or dies rest, said die or dies being flatsided and of a size to fit the widened portion of the groove. The flat sides of the die prevent it from turning in the groove, while permitting it to be adjusted parallel to the plunger. With this construction it is possible to adjust the dies to correspond with the adjustment of the punches for any desired spacing of the holes. The narrower portion of the slot 34, which extends from the top to the bottom of the anvil, is to permit the escape of the chips or burs, said burs falling through said slots onto a suitable traveling belt 34 located beneath the anvils and extending the full length of the plunger. Extending across the slot 34 of each anvil are one or more bridge-pieces 34, which serve to connect the two parts of the anvil, said bridge-pieces having their upper edges 34 pointed, so that the burs will not accumulate thereon. The anvils 33 are also preferably adjustably supported, so that they can be moved transversely of the stock-carrier to accommodate the position of the stock thereon. These anvils are herein illustrated as being supported on a transverse foundation member 35, which is provided in its upper surface with a transverse groove to receive toes or ribs 36 on the anvils. The latter each are secured in their adjusted position by any suitable means, such as bolts 37, which extend through the feet 38 of the anvils and into dovetailed grooves in the foundation member 35. These grooves permit the lateral adjustment of the anvils. The foundation member is provided with a slot which registers with the slots 34 in the anvils, and the traveling belt 34 runs directly beneath said slot 35.

I preferably provide means for guiding the separate pieces of stock and preventing them from having any lateral movement at the point where the punching operation takes place. To accomplish this, 1 have illustrated each anvil as provided with swinging jaws 39, carrying rolls 40, which bear against some vertical portion of the stock, as best seen in Fig. 19. Between any two anvils I place an adjustable standard 41, also carrying a roll 42, which is preferably adjustable and between which and the roll 40 the vertical portion of the stock passes. Each jaw 39 is preferably yieldingly held in its operative position, and for this purpose its lower end is connected by a suitable link 43 with a spring 44, which tends normally to force the upper end outwardly against the stock, said spring permitting the roll 45 to yield to accommodate any unevenness in the thickness of the stock. A suitable stop-screw 45, carried by the jaw and adapted to engage a stop 46, fixed to the anvil, serves to limit the outward movement of the aw. Where each anvil contains two such jaws I make the spring 44 U-shaped, and thus it answers for both of the jaws.

The above-described guiding means prevents the stock from springing laterally during the punching operation and insures the correct alinement of the holes punched therein. This form of guiding mechanism, however, may be changed in many ways or entirely omitted without departing from the invention.

Stripping mec/imiima.-1n addition to the means for holding the stock and guiding it, I prefer to employ suitable stripping means, which strips the stock from the punches as the latter are raised. In the present form of my invention such stripping mechanism comprises stripper members 46, which rest on the stock and are adjustably carried by a transverse bar 47, extending across the frame. This bar 47 may be supported in any suitable way, but preferably I provide the standards 41 with suitable extensions 48, in which said stripper-supporting bar 47 is supported. As herein illustrated, the extensions of the standards have open slots in their upper ends in which the bar 47 is received, said slots being covered by a keeper-plate 49, which holds the stripper-sopporting bar in place. These strippers are illustrated as having the two jaws 50, between which the stripper-supporting bar 47 is received, a set-screw 51 serving to hold the stripper in adjusted position and a keeper member 52 serving to hold the stripper on the bar. Each stripper is preferably provided with a toe portion 53, which is slotted, as at 54, in line with the corresponding punch, so that as the punch descends it passes through the slot 54 andinto the stock. Said strippers, as will be obvious, prevent the stock from rising as the punches are withdrawn. By making them adjustable on the stripper-supporting bar they can be properly positioned to correspond with the position of the punches.

Stock-feeding means. As above described, the stock is carried by a stock-supporting means and is passed over the various anvils and beneath the punches. My improved device is designed to feed the stock forward intermittingly while the plunger is raised, thereby to space the holes in the stock. Said feeding means is constructed to feed the stockcarrier and the stock thereon forward any desired distance during the time that the punches are raised, said distance depending upon the distance desired between the holes in the stock.

The side beams 21 are provided on their lower edges with racks 55, which mesh with pinions 56 on a suitable shaft 57. This shaft 57 carries a gear 58, meshing with a pinion 59 on a clutch shaft 60. Carried by the clutch-shaft are a plurality of clutches 61 61 61 61, &c., any one of which may be connected thereto by suitable clutch-operating IIO mechanisms hereinafter described. These clutches may be of any suitable or usual con struction; but I prefer some familiar or suitable form of friction-clutch.

Inasmuch as the clutch itself forms no part of my invention, I have only illustrated the clutch conventionally. The form of clutch I show has two friction members 62, each splined to the shaft 60, and between them is another friction member 63, which is loose on the shaft and has worm-gear teeth on its periphery. Meshing with the worm on each member 63 is a worm-gear 64, carried by a suitable shaft which is driven from the main shaft 10 through suitable intermediate gearing. The worm-shafts for the various clutches are designated 65 65 65', &c. The form of gearing I have herein illustrated for driving the clutch-shaft comprises an intermittent bevel-gear 66, fast on the main shaft 10 and meshing with a suitable intermittent bevelgear 67 on one end of a shaft 68, the other end of said shaft having another bevel-gear 69, which meshes with a bevel-gear 70. Fast on the same shaft as the gear 7 O is one of a pair of cooperating elliptic gears, said gears being designated 71 and 72, respectively. The gear 72 is carried by a shaft 73, having a gear 7 1 thereon, which in turn meshes with a pinion 75 on a counter-shaft 76. This latter shaft has thereon a plurality of bevelgears 77 77 77, &c., which mesh with other bevel-gears 7 8 78 78, &c., mounted on the shafts 65 65 65 &c. With this construction it will be seen that as the main shaft rotates the counter -shaft 76 will be rotated through the gearing above described, and the rotation of the latter shaft will operate the various shafts 65 65 65", &c. The speed of the gearing connecting each of the latter shafts with the counter-shaft 76 is different, the gearing between the shafts 65 and the counter-shaft being a low-speed gear, the gearing between the shaft 65 and the countershaft being a higher-speed gear and that between the shaft 65 and the counter-shaft a still higher speed gear. The construction is such that during the operation of the machine all of the shafts 65 65 65", &c., are continuously rotating, and consequently the clutch members 63 are in motion. Suitable mechanism hereinafter described is employed to throw any one of the clutches desired into operation, according to the speed which it is desired to give to the carrier.

The gearing above described is so arranged that the carrier has an intermittent movement, and preferably a movement at a variable speed. The intermittent movement is given to it in order to permit the stock to be stationary during the time that the punches are operating on the metal and to permit the stock to move forward while the punches are elevated. The varying speed of movementis for the purpose of allowing the carrier and or intermittent gear--that is, the teeth are omitted on a portion of its periphery. The size of the gear 67 is such with relation to the number of teeth in the intermittent gear 66 that said gear 67 is rotated once during each revolution of the main shaft 10, said. gear 67 remaining at rest during a portion of the rotation of the main shaft, as will be obvious. The intermittent gear 66 is so placed that the gear 67 will remain at rest during the time that the punches are entering or leaving the metal of the stock and will be rotated thereby to advance the carrier and the stock while the punches are clear from the stock.

The varying speed of movement of the carrier is given by the elliptical gears 71 72, these gears being so proportioned and positioned that the shaft 73, and consequently the stock-carrier, will be given a slow movement at the beginning and ending of each forward step and will be given a rapid movement at intermediate points. The result is that the carrier and stock, which obviously will have considerable Weight, is started gradually and moves with an increasing speed until it has been given about one-half of its desired movement, when the speed will decrease until it finally stops for another punching operation.

From the above description it will be seen that the distance which the carrier is moved at each step or during each rotation of the main shaft 10 depends upon which particular clutch is thrown in operation. For instance, if the clutch 61 is the active clutch the forward movement of the stock-carrier will be very much less than if the clutch 61 is the active clutch, and the movement when the latter clutch is active is less than when the clutch 61 is the active clutch.

The object in providing a plurality of clutches adapted to give different speeds to the stock-carrier relative to the speed of retation of the main shaft of the speed of reciprocation of the plunger is to provide for punching the holes in the stock at different distances apart. To illustrate, we will suppose that the gearing of the clutch 61 is such that the stock-carrier will be moved forward a distance of two inches at each rotation of the main shaft and that the gearing 77 78 is such that when the clutch 61 is in operation the stock-carrier will move four inches at each rotation of the main shaft and the gearing 77 7 8 such that when the clutch 61 is in operation the stock-carrier will move eight inches in the same time. If, therefore,

it is desired to punch holes two inches apart in the stock, the clutch 61 Will bethrown into operation, while if it is desired to punch holes four or eight inches apart the clutch 61* or 61 will be thrown into operation.

In the present embodiment of my invention I have only illustrated three different changes of speed; but I wish it understood that my invention is not limited to this num her, as any desired number of clutches can be employed, depending upon the spacing desired for the holes in the stock.

For controlling the clutches and determining the times when the different clutches will be thrown into or out of operation I have provided a clutch controlling mechanism which is entirely automatic in its action and which will be more fully hereinafter described.

In addition to the clutches 61, 61, and 61 I have illustrated another clutch 61, which is also thrown into operation by the clutch-controlling mechanism presently to be described. The worm of the clutch 61 is carried by a shaft 65", which has splined thereon a friction-roll 79, cooperating with a friction-disk 80, carried by a suitable shaft 81. The shaft 81 is driven from the power-shaft 13 by suitable gearing 82 83, and therefore said clutch 61" is driven directly from the power-shaft and not through the main shaft and the intermittent gearing. The end of the shaft 65 passes through a bearing-block 8et, (see Figs. 23, 24, and 25,) which is slidably mounted in the bearing 85, and suitable mechanism is provided for moving said-block to carry the friction-roll T9 radially of the friction-disk 80, thereby to vary the speed of operation of the clutch 61. As herein shown, said bearingblock has connected thereto a screwthreaded stem 86, which passes through and has screw-threaded connection with a gear 87, mounted in a suitable bearing 88. Said gear 87 can rotate in the bearing 88, but is held from longitudinal movement therein. It meshes with two bevel-gears 89 and 90, loose upon a counter-sha ft 91, which is driven from the shaft 81 by suitable gears 92 93.

A suitable clutch mechanism of any approved pattern 94 is constructed to clutch either of the gears 89 or to the shaft 91, depending on whether it is desired to increase or decrease the speed of the clutch. This clutch is operated from a suitable rock-shaft 95 by means of a link 96, leading to a clutchlever 97, which is preferably placed at the side of the machine within convenient reach of the operator. I have also provided means for automatically disengaging the clutch 94 when the friction-roll approaches the periphery of the friction-disk. For this purpose the bearing-block 8& has on its under side two inclined lugs 98, which cooperate with an arm 99, fast on the rock-shaft 95, to throw the clutch out of operation before the frictionroll moves radially ofi from the friction-disk.

The above-described clutch mechanism is intended to be used when it is desired to move lthe carrier considerable distances without punching, as would be the case if the stock to be punched had a space of three or four feet in which no apertures were to be placed. In such event the punch-controlling mechanism hereinafter described would render all of the punches inactive, and the clutch-controlling mechanism, also to be described, would throw the clutch 61into operation, thus causing the stock-carrier to advance continuously instead of intermittingly. By means of the friction-roll and friction-disk and the clutch 9 1 the operator can advance the carrier the desired distance at any appropriate rate of speed, and by merely shifting the friction-roll across the center of the frictiondisl: the direction of movement of the stockcarrier can be reversed.

Clutch-controlling wwc/mmlwm-The mechanism I have illustrated for controlling the clutches is entirely automatic in its operation "and is governed by suitable pattern mechanism, so that when it is once set it will properly operate the clutches to give the necessary movement to the carriage to obtain any desired arrangement of holes in the stock.

100, 100, and 100 designate rockshafts corresponding to the various clutches, each shaft having a suitable forked arm 101, (see Fig. 2-,) which connects with and serves to operate the corresponding clutch, so that the rocking movement of any one of said shafts will throw into or out of operation the corresponding clutch. These shafts are rocked at appropriate times by a suitable actuator 102 in the form of a bar or rod, which actuator is common to all of the rock-shafts. Suitable pattern mechanism is employed to operatively connect at the appropriate times the actuator with the particular rock-shaft which it is desired to turn. The manner of connecting the rock-shafts to the actuator will be best seen from Figs. 3, 13, and 18. The actuator preferably extends transversely of the machine and is provided along its length with pairs of collars 103, which cooperate with suitable heads 10 1, slidably mounted on arms 105, extending vertically from the various rockshafts 100 100 100 &c.

The heads 10 i normally stand in their lowered position below the collars 103. The actuator 102 is mounted to have a movement transversely of the machine or longitudinally of its length at suitable intervals; but so long as the heads are in their lowered position such motion of the actuator will not operate the clutches. At appropriate times and as called for by the pattern mechanism the heads 10 1 of the various rock-shafts are raised into such a posit-ion that they will enter between the corresponding pair of collars when the actuator moves longitudinally, as shown in Fig.13. If now the actuator is moved longitudinally, the raised head will be engaged by the collars and the corresponding rock-shaft will be turned, thus engaging ordisengaging the cor responding clutch. The pattern mechanism for thus controlling the action of the various heads will now be descrilmd, special reference being made to Figs. 4:, 6, 7, 8, and 9.

At the side of the machine and supported in suitable bearings are a plurality of vertical shafts 106 106" 106*106, &c., each mounted to turn about a vertical axis. At the lower end of each shaft and slidable vertically thereon is a member 1070, having a plurality of annular grooves 107, which grooves mesh with a gear 108 on a cross-shaft, there bei ng as many cross shafts as there are clutches. These crossshafts are designated 109 109 109 109", &c. These members 1070 are constructed to rotate with the vertical shafts; but they have vertical movement thereon, as above stated. (lice Fig. Said cross-shafts extend to the actuator 1 2, and each cross-shaftleads to and cooperates with the head on one of the rock-shafts 100100100". 8511. Tu order to avoid confusirm, l have used the same exponent for the numerals of the corresponding cross-shaft and rockshaft that is, the cross-shaft corresponding to the rock-shaft 100 is designated 100, disc. The end of each cross-shaft is provided with the ofiset portion 110, (see Fig. 13,)to which is connected one end of a link 111, the other end of said link loosely extending through a flange or rib 112, extending from the corresponding head 10%. Surrounding each link 111 and ljiearing against the corresponding flange 112 is a spiral spring 113. ith this construction it will be seen that if any one of the cross-shafts 109 109 is turned the correspondingspring 113 will be compressed and by its action against the flange of the corresponding head said head will be forced up against the actuator. 1f the actuator is moved longitudinally with the head in this position, said head will snap into the space between a pair of collars 103, and thereafter any longitudinal movement of the actuator will rock the corresponding rock-shaft100 100,&c.,and thus throw the corresponding clutch.

The necessary turning movement of any cross-shafts 109 109", &c., is derived by vertical movement of the grooved member 1070 on the corresponding vertical shaft 106 106", &c., such vertical movement causing the gear 108 to turn because of its meshing with the grooves 107.

The grooved member 1070 on each vertical shaft 106 106 has rigid therewith a laterallyextending flange 115, (see Fig. 7,) which is provided with a cam-surface 116, cooperating with a roll 11'7, suitably mounted in stationary bearings. Each vertical shaft also carries one or more laterally-extending lingers 118, which are preferably made adjustable on the shaft. These lingers cooperate with other selector-lingers, which are carried by and move with the stock-carrier, so that as the carrier moves forwardly to advance the stock the finger 118 of one of the vertical shafts 106 is acted upon and said shaft turned, the turning of this shaft, as will be obvious, causing the cam-surface 116 to pass over the roll 117, and thcrebv forcing the member 1070 vertically. The vertical movement of said member on the shaft. as has been above described, operates through the actuator to throw the corresponding clutch into operation.

The selector mechanism for operating the lingers 118 will now be described.

Extending laterally from one of the side beams 21 of the work-support are one or more brackets 120, (see Figs. 1 and 9,) each having a vertical portion 121. A linger can rving bar 122 is suitably supported by these brackets 120, and on said linger-carrying bar, which it will be seen extends longitudinally of the stock-carrier and parallel to the beam 21. are a pluralitv of selector-lingers 123, each of which has a suitable nose 121, which eoacts with the lingers 118 on the various vertical shafts. I propose to place the lingers 118 on the various shafts at different elevations, as best seen in Fig. 4c, and the selectorlingers 123 are also made of dill'erent lengths, so that their noses 124: come in dili'erent horizontal planes. The linger 118 on the shaft 106. for instance, will be set so as to be engaged by the nose on one of the selector-lingers, the linger 1 18 on the shaft 106 will be set at a different elevation and to correspond with the nose of another selector-linger, and the linger 118 on the shaft 106" will be set at still another elevation to correspond with still another selectonlinger 123, &c. These selectorlingers are properly placed .along the length of the bar 122 according to the spacing desired for the apertures in the stock, so that at'the appropriate times the linger 118 on the proper vertical shaft will be acted upon by a selector-linger, thereby to throw any particular clutch into or out of operation.

The selector-lingers herein illustrated are each provided with the hooked arm 125, which partially embraces the linger-carrying bar 122, and said fingers are rigidly locked in position on the bar by a locking-block 126, which has a swinging linger 127 and which is adapted to set between flanges 128 on the keeperlingers and to grip the under side of the bar 122. For this purpose the under side of said bar is preferably serrated, as shown in Fig. 11, and the keeper-block is provided with teeth 129, which engage said serrations, said teeth being held in locking engagement by means of the swinging cat-ch 127, which engages the lug 130 on the finger. This construction provides means for rigidly holding the selector-lingers in any adjusted position on their bar 122.

The operation of the selector mechanism or clutch-operating mechanism as thus far described is as follows: Let us assume that the clutch 61 is in operation and that the gearing corresponding to such clutch is such as to advance the carrier four inches at each step. Vith this construction the apertures punched in the stock will be four inches apart. If new the pattern calls for a change from four-inch spacing to tw 0-inch spacing,the selector-finger on the jii 122 corresponding to the finger on theivertical shaft 106(whieh, it will be understcoi'l, has been previously properly adjusted "fin said bar) will engage said finger 118 during the forward movement of the stock-carrier and turn the shaft 106 about its axis. Such turning movement causes the cam-surface 116 to ride over the roll 117, and thereby raises said shaft. The vertical movement of said shaft through the gears 107 108 turns the cross-shaft 109, and thus forces the head of the corresponding rock-shaft 100 upwardly against the actuator. At this time the actuator is moved longitudinally by mechanism presently to be described, and such movement rocks the shaft 100 and throws the clutch 61 into operation. At the same time the clutch 61 is thrown out of operation, as will be presently described, and thereafter the mechanism is set so that the stock-carrier moves forward two inches at each rotation of the main shaft.

2/ z/c/z dfsen g u r in r m cc/unm'sm. -As stated above, I have provided means whereby each clutch is automatically disengaged at the time that another clutch is thrown into operation, and in the preferred form of my invention the disengaging of one clutch is accomplished by the means which throw. another clutch into engagement.

Extending longitudinally of the frame and slidably mounted in suitable bearings is a bar or rod 131, (see Figs. 6 and 7,) which has rigid thereto pairs of oppositely-disposed arms 132 and 133, there being as many such pairs as there are vertical shafts 106 106*, &c. Each pair of arms cooperate with another pair of oppositely-disposed arms 134 135, rigidly carried by the grooved member 1070 on the corresponding shaft 106 or 106, &c. Each arm 135 has a depending portion 136, which is adapted to engage the end of the corresponding arm 133, and each arm 134 has a nose portion 137, which is adapted to engage a flange or rib 138 on the corresponding arm 132. Extending vertically from each arm 135 is a stud 139 having a projecting flange or shoulder 140, and carried by the rod 131 is a pivotallymounted spring-pressed pawl 141, which is normally held inactive or in inoperative position by a suitable spring 142. I preferably pivot this pawl 141 to the collar from which the arms 133 132 extend. The normal position of each of the pairs of arms 135 134 when the corresponding clutch 61 61*, &c., is disengaged is in the position of the arms shown on the extreme right or the extreme left of Fig. 6that is, the nose 137 on the arm 134 is behind the flange 138 and the arm 132. lVhenever the clutch is in active position,

however, the corresponding vertical shaft 106.

106, &c., stands in such position that its arms 134 135 occupy the position shown in the central portion of Fig. 6-that is, the lug 136 in the arm 135 abuts against the corresponding arm 133 and the arm 134 is separated some distance tical shaft 106, will be in operation, while theclutches 61 61 corresponding to the shafts 106 106, are thrown out of operation. Groing on the assumption above made, the machine will in this position be set for punching holes four inches apart. If it is desired to change this spacing to two inches apart, the appropriate selector-finger 123 engages the finger 118 on the vertical shaft 106 and swings said shaft into the dotted-line position, Fig. 6, thereby throwing the clutch 61 into operation, as above described. Since the nose 137 is in engagement with the flange 138, such turning movement of the shaft 106 will, through its arm 134 and the corresponding arm 132, move the rod or bar 131 to the left, Fig. 6. Such forward movement will bring the pawl 141 into engagement with the lug or stud 140*, carried by the shaft 106, it being understood that when said shaft 106 is in the position shown in said figures it is in its elevated position, and therefore thestud is properly situated to be engaged by the pawl 141. The continued forward movement of the bar 131 operates, through the pawl 141 and stud 140, to turn the shaft 106 into its normal position. It will be noted that the radial distance of the stud 140 from the axis of the shaft 106 is very much less than the'length of the arms 134 135, and therefore a comparatively slight longitudinal movement of the bar 131 is sufficient to completely return the shaft 106 to its normal position. As said shaft turns the cam-surface 116 Will pass off from the roll 117 and the member 1070 will be lowered as well as turned, the spring 142 permitting the pawl 141 to follow the downward movement of said member. The parts are so timed that the shaft 106 will be thrown into its normal position by that movement of the bar 131 which is caused by theswinging of the arm 134 from the full-line position, Fig. 6, to a position at right angles to said bar. It will be remembered that as the shaft 106 turns the cam-surface 116 rides over the pulley 117, and thereby raises said member, and the cam is so timed that when the arms 134 135 stand transversely the nose 137 has been carried out of engagement With the flange 138. At the same time the depending portion 136 of the arm 135 comes in contact with the end of the corresponding arm 133 and the further turning movement of the shaft 136 forces the bar 135 backwardly to its full-line position. It will thus be seen that during one half the turning movement of the 

